Our office continues to be open to all new and existing patients. We use hospital-grade sanitizers and are taking measures to ensure patients maintain social distancing by not having anyone wait in our reception room with others. If you prefer to wait in your car, just give us a call and we will call or text you when we are ready to bring you straight into a treatment room. Our entire staff is wearing masks and we encourage you to do the same.

For those patients who cannot or still wish not to visit the office, we are offering private video telemedicine visits. Simply call the office at 713-785-7881 and ask for an e-visit and we will be happy to get you set up for an immediate appointment. You can also request an appointment through our website.

This week a patient came into the office with her shoes. She told me that she felt a rock in her shoes and can't find it. She was hoping that I cold find what was wrong with her shoes to make them comfortable. I asked her if she feels the discomfort when she is wearing other shoes. She said that she does and even when she's barefoot...if she didn't know better, she swore there were rocks in her socks.

I don't share this story to poke fun at her. On the contrary it's something that happens quite often! When you have pain, and you can't find the source, you will search for an explanation that makes the most sense to you. In this case, the pain had nothing to do with her shoes, it is because of thick and painful corns and calluses on the bottom of the foot.

A corn and callus is a thickened area of hard, dead skin that forms because of pressure. Most commonly a callus occurs on the bottom of your foot and is superficial and broad. A corn is smaller and deeper and usually found on top or between your toes. Because of the depth, these are more likely to be painful. Corns can also form on the bottom of your feet...and yes, they are painful and feel like you have rocks in your socks.

You can also work on your calluses at home. Many people use a sharp callus file, such as a Ped-Egg to control their corns or calluses. I strongly discourage this, since I see many injuries and infections from their use. You should soften your calluses with a strong moisturizing cream, such as Calicylic Creme, and use a Pumi-Bar to pare down the newly-formed dead skin in the shower each day.

If you have a feeling like there are rocks in your socks, it's time to stop looking for them! Contact our Houston Podiatry office for an immediate appointment. The treatment is painless and you will find relief the minute you step on the floor.